Be an Age-Friendly Ambassador: Make Mecklenburg County Better for our Seniors

Used for 2023 budget cover

Today is Ageism Awareness Day, a day to celebrate our elders, cast attention on ageism in our communities, and help our family members and neighbors grow old gracefully.

Anyone can help. Age-Friendly Mecklenburg is recruiting “Age-Friendly Ambassadors” of all ages to work across our communities to make them better for older adults. They can volunteer in a great number of capacities, such as educating seniors on about scam and fraud awareness, driver safety, senior meals, digital education, and much more. An individual can serve or consider signing up their religious, civic or community organization to ensure the productivity and needs of our golden-agers.

By 2035, there are expected to be 140,000 additional residents aged 55 and older living in Mecklenburg County. It’s the fastest growing age group in the County. The Age-Friendly Mecklenburg initiative and action plan addresses the specific needs of those residents. The plan was developed as part of Mecklenburg County’s successful bid to be certified by AARP and the World Health Organization as an Age-Friendly Community.

Senior residents want to be active, informed, supported and connected. Age-Friendly Mecklenburg focuses on eight strategies, or Domains of Livability, where it works to create change for seniors:

  • Outdoor Spaces and Buildings
  • Transportation
  • Housing
  • Social Participation
  • Respect and Social Inclusion
  • Civic Participation and Employment
  • Communication and Information
  • Community and Health Services

Anyone interested in learning more about becoming an Age-Friendly Ambassador can call 980-314-6070 or email [email protected].

More information on the initiative and action plan is available at Age-Friendly Mecklenburg.